It’s finally holiday season which means one thing: Starbucks releasing their holiday menu. Along with seasonal items being released, their classic reusable holiday themed mugs and cups return and are scattered around the store, available for purchase. There is something so magical about walking into a Starbucks for the first time during the winter months, as the whole place is transformed into a winter wonderland. Their winter menu includes 10 special items that are only available for a limited time and although they are all delicious, some just reign superior. Here is the definitive ranking from the best to the worst.
- Toasted White Chocolate Mocha
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It may be shocking, but the Toasted White Chocolate Mocha is without a doubt, the best holiday drink. The traditional, year round White Chocolate Mocha is amazing itself, but the carmelized, toasty, almost marshmallowy flavor of this drink is a real step up. Whether you get this drink hot, iced or blended, it is extremely enjoyable and tastes just as you hope winter feels. This is the drink that you will keep coming back for more, as it truly never gets old.
- Cranberry Bliss Bar
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Without a doubt, the Cranberry Bliss Bar is the best holiday food item. It is a multidimensional pastry, satisfying every need you have for a go to quick bite. The blondie base is filled with dried cranberries and small white chocolate chunks and topped with cream cheese icing, dried cranberries and an orangey white chocolate drizzle. The cranberry bliss bar is all you could want in a baked good. Everything about this little bar works flawlessly, and it is definitely the most underrated item on the menu.
- Peppermint Mocha Latte
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Peppermint and chocolate always go together, and this is no exception. Probably the most classic and anticipated item of the winter launch is consistently the Peppermint Mocha. Mint is not a flavor seen often in Starbucks, or coffee in general; however, this drink is always a fan favorite and never disappoints. This is also a great drink for those who aren’t a huge fan of the espresso flavor, as the peppermint and chocolate flavors are the stars of the show.
- Snowman Cake Pop
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Yes, the Snowman Cake Pop is just a vanilla cake pop that looks like a snowman. But they just do it so well! It is absolutely adorable, and the vanilla flavor is fantastic. It is the perfect sweet treat for when you are looking for something small that will give you all the flavor of vanilla cake while being much easier to eat.
This is a super fun and festive bite to grab on the go, or if you are just looking for some holiday joy.
- Caramel Brulee Latte
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A generally solid middle ground drink, the Caramel Brulee Latte is definitely a great winter pick. It is a classic latte, with the rich caramel brulee sauce and topping.
It is similar to the classic caramel latte, but gives a much more wintery feel. It tastes just as a bakery might smell during the holiday season, and something about the smooth caramel flavor almost makes you feel like you are curled up with a good book, watching the snow fall to the ground outside.
- Sugar Plum Cheese Danish
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Out of all the food items, the Sugar Plum Cheese Danish was the most shocking (in a good way!). The danish itself was super light and fluffy, which was great to balance out the heaviness on the cream cheese and sugar plum filling. The flavors all worked together perfectly, as nothing was really overpowering. The spiced sugar plum mixed with the creamy cheese is a combination unlike any other, and it was truly a pleasant surprise.
- Chesnut Praline Latte
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The Chestnut Praline Latte is a cozy, classic and delicious winter drink. This drink offers a touch of spice, with a good amount of nutty flavor. Although it is quite a delicious drink, and definitely gives off holiday flavors, it is easily forgettable when compared to the other holiday items on the menu. That being said, this drink definitely gives off toasty, cozy, fireside vibes and is a really tasty addition to the menu.
- Eggnog Latte
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This might be a little controversial, but the Eggnog Latte is the worst out of the holiday drinks. It’s not bad, and eggnog is without a doubt a classic part of the season, but it simply doesn’t compare to the other unique holiday drinks. Combining eggnog and espresso sounds like a great idea, and it tastes fine, but it was just a bit lackluster as far as spices and flavor go.
- Cranberry Orange Scone
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The Cranberry Orange Scone is exactly what it sounds like: a flaky scone filled with dried cranberries and orange zest. The fruity scent and flavor are extremely evident, and each component of the pastry works together well. This scone, like most, goes great with tea, and is not overwhelmingly sweet but still satisfies your sweet tooth. The vanilla icing drizzled on top is a nice touch, but the scone is simply underwhelming in comparison to the other items on the menu and lacks some holiday flare.
- Snowman Cookie
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Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Snowman Cookie. Something has to be at the bottom of the list, and it just has to be this cookie. It is a tasty shortbread cookie with white chocolate icing, so without a doubt it tastes great! There is just nothing special about it. It’s cute, it’s yummy, but that is all there is to it. Although it is good, it just is not better than the other holiday items on the menu.
Overall, Starbucks has a consistently good holiday menu. Each item has something special about it, and I truly enjoyed trying each one. There are so many different flavor combinations that you can really get something different each time you come. One thing is for certain: Starbucks knows how to do holiday season, and they do it very well.